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Whenever my sister has had to take decadron before/during/after CyberKnife radiation treatment for her brain mets, her leg muscles become very weak soon after the course has begun, to the point where it is very difficult for her to get out of a car or up from the floor without help. She is 49, slim, and was in very good physical shape before starting treatments, so if your mother is elderly I imagine the steroid's negative effects could be harsher for her.
The doctors have always tried to taper my sister off the decadron as soon as reasonably possible after treatment because of those side effects, and then the strength in her legs returns very gradually. You might consider asking your Mom's doctor if it's necessary for her to still be on decadron if her met is shrinking? If so, could her dose be lowered?
Decadron can be a difficult drug to tolerate emotionally as well as physically, but radiation oncologists say it is one of the best methods of controlling brain edema. I hope she finds relief soon.
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